Hi everyone, I'm thinking that I should give an update to what's happening with me in being a part of this community.
I've been around now for 15 years and for the most part have enjoyed the experience.
Unfortunately things have changed recently that has impaired that experience.
It seemed to have started back when I was awarded the "master skinner" level. I assume in part that the bump up was to entice me to start making my blinds compatible with Win10. I also feel that the low ratings on my blinds is a criticism of not doing so.
I have mentioned the drive bys to management and they have assured me that the individual doing this, does this to everyone. I haven't seen any evidence of this so I'm not sure that I believe that.
As these rating attacks are systemic they violate TOS for harassment.
"stalk" or otherwise harass another;
I'll admit that the down rating are annoying and as a result impair my enjoyment of the site, which also violates TOS.
Interfere with another member's use and enjoyment of the Service or another entity's use and enjoyment of similar services.
Bottom line for me is;
I'm not upgrading to 10 anything, primarily because SKS10 does not support UIS2 frames. statement may not be accurate.
I'm going to continue making and uploading Win7 only blinds because it is one of my hobbies and enjoy doing so.
I'm limiting my visits to the site to weekends only.
I wish to thank everyone that has supported my efforts, it is very much appreciated.
Thank you all, gmc2
I never take any notice of ratings...partly for that reason...I, and I'm sure others, download what they like and make their own judgements.... I can see how it's very annoying tho...
one would think if there was an individual doing this who does it to everyone, as they say....that they would have their voting rights disabled....
no doubt you're going to hear 'skin for yourself' mentioned here soon too.... but it's frustrating to think you're dealing with an anti social arsehole who just likes to rain on others parade...
Your not alone the same person ( most likely ) is attacking
my Dreams from time to time bringing the ratings down low .
Which does nothing to stop the amount of downloads I get,
but does show disrespect for the time it takes to make and upload
a skin, but that's the way of a bully .
They should at least leave a comment why they're rating it low.
Sorry gmc2 being AdMin that I can't do more to help you but
as a Watchdog for the site that is not my area of control ...
*** I sent you a PM .
AzDudeStardock Community Assistant
I'm for you Greg. I know where you are coming from my friend. I stopped contributing here some time ago for similar reasons ( and others ) , which I no longer feel inclined to mention here. I simply opened my own website , so I'm much happier now and I continue to enjoy my hobby.
-- AceMatrix ---
Greg, skin for you. Make you happy. Ignore ratings and downloads.
You'll be happier.
I have been doing UIS2 frames in SKS10 for a long time now Greg. No problems.
When I tried WB10 it didn't paint the frames in my paint program (PSP7). It's been awhile but I don't recall there being a page for doing those??? Anyhow, I was told they were removed with WB8? Then there is the issue of up grading to Win10, gosh, just not happening.
thank you guys for responding, do appreciate the support and understanding.
I know I am not a skinner, rather just a layman who enjoys the fun of Windowblinds. I am a very senior senior, and some of my greatest joy is using all the wonderful "art" on this site. I bought a notebook with all the latest bells and whistles a couple of years ago which came with W10............and I hate hate hate it. I will not use W10, so my new high powered machine just sits there. I am using W7 on an old tower, and will probably stay on it until the machine explodes. I love W7..........and I love gmc7 (Greg) for recognizing that there is a whole world of people like myself, that still use W7, and for thinking of us laymen. My library of blinds consist mainly of Greg's work (about 80%). I love his simple and clean approach to great art works. (Also love Lightstar). I sure hope we don't lose him on this site, but if he goes, I will follow him anywhere. I am an artist by my second trade, and love his wonderful sense of style and execution. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Greg..........looking forward to all your art. Geno
If you look at my pics Greg, you'll see that you can skin UIS2 frames in SKS 10, Photoshop Pro uses UIS2 frames, as you can see in the screenshot. However, I don't use PSP7, I'm up to PSP 18, so I can't vouche for that part, although, I'd think that no matter what you use for your images, once it's save as a .png, then imported to SKS, I'd think it'd work just fine, but I could be wrong.
I'm not a great fan of Win 10 either, but, I use it for skinning purposes, I want to try to include all OSs, for not everyone uses just Win 7. I do appreciate your time and effort that you put into a WB, and you've been surpassing yourself in style, so hang in there, ratings doesn't make the skin, its the skinner, and I found out, that you can't please everyone, heaven knows I tried, I'd get frustrated at times, but Dave Bax, Tom (LightStar), and Jim, always keep me in check, and bring me back to reality, it's great to be a part of this skinning community, I've made incredible friends here, wouldn't trade it for nothing.
I haven't been made aware of anything untoward in the skin ratings for a heck of a long time. Re Stardock's TOS ... we take that seriously. People have been permanently removed for violating such, and that is not going to change.
As for motivations/reasons for anyone being promoted to 'Master' that is purely and simply in response to the person's community contributions, both skinning and/or otherwise. There ARE NO strings attached.
People may be disappointed when someone doesn't also skin for Win 10 [or whatever] but such is life. It will not affect a person's status [and cannot be a motivation for down-rating]...
Thank you Geno. I am humbled and over whelmed by your comments. Thank you.
I see that now thanks. It must be an issue with PSP7 and not UIS2 frame work in SKS. The program didn't paint but showed ye old window's graphics. (like Adobe reader frames) PSP7 is the program I have open the most and was an unwanted distraction so I switched back from WB10 to WB7.
**edit** No, they are UIS2 frames, duh. Don't know what the issue was/is but it's a moot point.
Paul, wish I could buy you a beer, thanks buddy.
Thanks Jim and you as well Tom. What a world we live in.
And I could do with one....round about now. Real Life [tm] can be a right mongrel....
Don is absolutely right. Skin for yourself. That's what I do. Ratings, I've found, don't mean that much.
I'll let you in on a little secret, just between you and me. When I skin, I come up with an idea and then see if I can pull it off. That's what keeps skinning fun for me.
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